Former Jackson, Mississippi, mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba pleaded guilty on Tuesday to federal bribery charges, admitting he accepted over $50,000 in bribes from a developer in exchange for city contracts and other official favors.
Details of the Guilty Plea
Lumumba, 42, entered the plea in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, according to court documents. He faces up to 10 years in prison on the charge of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Sentencing is scheduled for October 15.
The former mayor admitted to accepting cash payments and other benefits from a real estate developer, identified in court records as “Developer A,” between 2019 and 2021. In return, Lumumba used his official position to steer city contracts and approvals to the developer’s projects, including a proposed $70 million mixed-use development in downtown Jackson.
Impact on Jackson
The guilty plea marks a stunning fall for Lumumba, who was first elected in 2017 as a progressive reformer promising to clean up city government. He resigned in May after federal prosecutors announced the charges.
“This betrayal of public trust has deeply shaken the people of Jackson,” said U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca in a statement. “Public officials must be held to the highest standards, and this office will continue to pursue corruption at every level.”
The case has also thrown the city’s ongoing water crisis and infrastructure struggles into sharper relief, with critics arguing that corruption has diverted funds needed for basic services. Jackson has been under a federal consent decree since 2022 to fix its failing water system, which left thousands without safe drinking water for weeks.
Reaction and Next Steps
Lumumba’s attorney, John Reeves, said his client accepted responsibility and is “deeply remorseful.” The plea agreement requires Lumumba to cooperate with ongoing investigations into other city officials and contractors.
The developer involved has not been charged but is cooperating with authorities. The investigation is part of a broader federal crackdown on corruption in Mississippi, which has seen several local officials convicted in recent years.
